Ayanishiki Shimabara-Omon Residence

Breakfast was a highlight for us. It arrived on time each day in an insulated box, and the food changed from day to day. We also got one free ticket per person for a public hot bath just a three-minute walk away, which was really relaxing. The room was cozy and clean. The place sits between two JR stations, though reaching a station or convenience store meant walking 8-10 minutes along quiet streets. There were a couple of annoyances. The main entrance lock and the room lock were both awkward to use. Only one room cleaning was included during our three-day stay, and afterward we discovered our own toothbrushes and toothpaste had been thrown away.

Easy check-in, friendly staff, and roomy rooms with what you need. It’s close to the station. Good budget hotel, I’d stay again.

The Japanese pajamas were a nice touch, and they let us leave our luggage. Thanks! The location worked well for us. It’s near the wholesale market, two JR stops west of Kyoto’s main station. That train isn’t covered by the Kyoto subway or bus one-day pass, and some people may find the area too far from the center. Kyoto railway museum and aquarium are nearby, along with two sentos. As another reviewer mentioned, the main entrance and room doors were tricky to open with a key or code.

The room had a proper home-style setup: a Japanese-style layout that felt safe for a family with a baby, a microwave and kitchen, and all the dishes and cooking tools we needed. The bath was the separate unit type you’d find in a typical home, with a stylish sink and an indoor clothes-drying rack. It felt like somewhere I could live. I stayed on the west side of the second floor. There are only three rooms, but there’s a real front desk. The staff were very polite. The person who checked me in was a foreigner in casual clothes, not a uniform. There aren’t convenience stores close by, which was inconvenient. On the way to Niwaguchi Station there’s a vegetable market, and it felt dangerous when people drove forklifts across the road in front of it as if they owned the place, getting in pedestrians’ way. A very Kyoto-like scene, but the driving felt as reckless as you might expect in Japan. Be careful. It’s best to tell them ahead of time if you’ll be late for check-in. I arrived later than expected and my phone had run out of battery, so I didn’t notice and caused them trouble. They didn’t seem to mind, though. (^^)